OHR BiH Media Round-up, 21/10/2005

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (12,00 hrs)

BH Radio 1 (12,00 hrs)

Geneva Conference

Ashdown address Geneva conf.

BiH CoM on Corridor Vc

Bralo case before ICTY

Fake chase after Mladic

Insulting posters in Bijeljina

RADIO HERCEG-BOSNA (18,00hrs)

TV PINK (18,00 hrs)

BHT 1 (19,00 hrs)

BIH HoP Commiss. on PBS draft law

Three persons arrested in Sarajevo

Conference in Geneva

FBIH Gov’t buys bird flue medicine

Conference on BiH in Geneva

Interview with Donald Hays

Komljenovic on bird flue in RS

Rehn on the future of BiH

A person killed in a car accident

Hasimegovic on bird flue in FBIH

Terzic on foreign soldiers in BiH

Old foreign currency savers’ protest

NTV Hayat  (19,00 hrs)

FTV  (19,30 hrs)

RTRS (19,30 hrs)

One person killed in a car accident

Conference in Geneva

FBIH Police arrests terrorists in SA

Conference on BiH in Geneva

Jovic meets CoE’s Monitoring Team

Car accident near Pale

Feature on all HRs in BiH

EC on liberation of visas regime

Geneva conference

Tribute to Delibasic and Popovic

FBiH Govt on avian influenza

Jovic on DA

Oslobodjenje

At the upcoming elections, BiH will elect one President

Dnevni Avaz

Three men were preparing terrorist attack

Dnevni List

Three arrested for terrorism

Vecernji List

10 years of deceits in Euroherc (on illegalities in Croatian company ‘Euroherc’)

Slobodna Dalmacija

Artificial cochlea to little Filip

Nezavisne Novine

BiH needs a constitution for EU

Glas Srpske

A foot away from an abyss [report on a car accident near Sarajevo]

EuroBlic

Bus driver was killed, 11 were injured [report on a car accident near Sarajevo]

Vecernje novosti

Features Serbian related titles

Oslobodjenje

At the upcoming elections, BiH will elect one President

LATEST NEWS OF TODAY

Ashdown addresses Geneva conf.: EC recommends opening SAA talks; OHR possibly to be abolished in Oct 2006

BH Radio 1 by Elvir Bucalo – In his address to the international Conference on Dayton in Geneva today, High Representative Paddy Ashdown expressed hope Dayton (Constitution) would be adjusted to the new Euro-Atlantic circumstances. Ashdown emphasized he believed BiH was on the right road towards being a modern and democratic state. Regarding this morning’s EC recommendation to the EU Foreign Ministers to give green light for start of SAA talks with BiH, Ashdown said that the time had come for the HR powers to be gradually reduced, which would lead to the ultimate abolishment of OHR/HR in October 2006. 

Raguz in Geneva : BiH needs new, more rational Constitution

RHB– RHB carried a brief interview with the Deputy Speaker of BiH House of Representatives, Martin Raguz, who is participating at the Geneva conference. He says he underlined during the discussion dedicated to constitutional changes that the past 10 years have shown all the advantages and disadvantages of the Dayton Peace Accord. Raguz stresses that disadvantages are clear for all to see, which need to be removed otherwise problems in BiH would deepen. Raguz points out that BiH needs a new, more rational constitution that would, among other issues, make sure that all peoples in BiH are equal.

Posters in Bijeljina call for renaming a street after Karadzic

BH Radio 1 – Posters appeared in Bijeljina calling for renaming of the main street in the town after one of the most wanted ICTY indictee Radovan Karadzic. Investigation into the incident is underway.

Geneva conference

Geneva conference launched

Hayat, FTV, RTRS, RHB, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘BiH should chose to change Constitution and move towards EU’, Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘BiH need a constitution for EU’ by Almedin Sisic, Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Change of Constitution condition for joining Europe’ by I. Glibusic,Slobodna Dalmacija, back pg ‘On constitution in 2006’, by Z. Zekic, Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘BiH entered new phase’, by raalso report on the Geneva conference  – The two-day conference ‘BiH – Ten years after Dayton’ started in Geneva on Thursday with an opening plenary session. The conference has been organized by the “Association BiH 2005”. Senior Advisory Board Chair, Wolfgang Petritsch, member of the Swiss Parliament and member of the Swiss Committee for Foreign Affairs Vreni Muller-Hemi, Swiss Foreign Affairs Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey, EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn, BiH Academy of Science and Arts President Bozidar Matic, former HR in BiH Carl Bildt and BiH CoM Chair Adnan Terzic delivered reports at the plenary session. Terzic said that the “conference in Geneva is an opportunity to through a valid assessment by international representatives and domestic authorities on what we could have learned, what was well done and what was badly done”. BHT 1 – On the second day of the conference, Chief ICTY Prosecutor Carla del Ponte is going to take part in the panel on reconciliation.

Ollie Rehn: Changes to constitution and abolishment of High representative, then membership in EU

FTV, PINK, RTRS, Oslobodjenje, pg 3, mentioned on front ‘Changes to constitution and abolishment of High representative, then membership in EU’, by special reporter Sanita Sehercehajic, Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘BiH need a constitution for EU’ by Almedin Sisic, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘The Dayton needs to be changed’ by Srna – The EU Enlargement Commissioner, Ollie Rehn, stated at the Geneva conference that the complex constitutional structure, lack of financial sustainability and the High Representative with his Bonn powers are the biggest obstacles that BiH has to overcome before the country signs the agreement on SAA talks. Regarding the constitutional changes, Rehn noted: “What I advocate is a constitutional evolution, not constitutional revolution and I hope the BiH leaders will succeed in reaching an agreement before the next elections”. On role of the HR, Rehn says the transition from the HR to BiH authorities taking the full responsibility must depend on the situation on the ground, not on politicians’ promises. BHT 1 Elvir Bucalo – “In order to have a successful relations with the EU, it is necessary for the state to be able to meet the terms from the agreement as well as of negotiations on admittance, and that is why we are not sure that the BiH Constitution provides functional state”, said Rehn.

Avaz: EC will give green light for start of SAA talks on Friday, BiH has to meet several pre-requisites

Dnevni Avaz, pg 4, mentioned on front ‘Javier Solana and Ollie Rehn are lobbying for BiH’, by special reporter from Brussels – Avaz notes that the EC will today (Friday) send a request to the EU Council of Ministers that the SAA talks with BiH be given the green light. The talks could start by mid December the latest in case the PBS laws are enacted. According to Avaz’s information, the EU Enlargement Commissioner, Ollie Rehn, and EU High Representative for Foreign Common and Security Policy, Javier Solana, are personally ready to lobby for BiH, however they need support and results from BiH, because if the official Sarajevo does not get the message, the SAA talks could be suspended, and even cancelled. Avaz goes on to say that in order to complete the SAA talks and be given the status of candidate member, BiH has to meet pre-requisites such as the police reform, full cooperation with the ICTY and several SAA-related criteria pertaining to protection of environment, standardization, industry, education etc. Furthermore, Avaz says that as soon as the BiH politicians get this message and start working on the pre-requisites, in case that BiH completes the SAA talks within 6 months, the benefits will start to show, one of them being a liberalization of visa regime. Inset ‘HDZ will not obstruct’ says the Brussels welcomed the announcement from the HDZ that the party would not block the enactment of the PBS related laws i.e. it would not invoke the vital national clause.

Ashdown: BiH should agree to have one president

Oslobodjenje, front pg splash and pg 2 ‘BiH will elect one president in next elections’, by S. Se. – The High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, told Oslobodjenje at Geneva where he is taking part in the ‘BiH – Ten years after Dayton’ conference that the three peoples in BiH should be reaching an agreement by January or February 2006 the latest according to which the BiH citizens would be electing one president during the next elections. Ashdown explains it must be reached in a consensus by all three peoples, not one, not two at detriment of other people(s). He further notes that after reaching an agreement on having one president, which represents the beginning, there could be an agreement that different peoples occupy positions of the president, the prime minister and speaker of the parliament.Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘RS will not be abolished due to/because of reforms in BiH’, Nezavisne Novine pg 4 ‘Agreement on BiH President by March’ by A. Sisic – Also carries an interview with the HR Ashdown in which he stated it was possible to achieve an agreement on BiH President, BiH PM and Chairman of BiH Parliament, each represented by one person from among the three peoples by March next year. He noted that the aim is not to have OHR and Bonn powers in October 2006, but to have the EUSR office instead. Inset ‘I have directed BiH towards Europe’ – as a comment on his mandate, the HR said it is up to others to evaluate whether his work was successful and he noted he had fulfilled everything he had promised – he made BiH a country, he directed BiH on the path to EU and brought BiH closer to the moment when it will no longer need a HR.

BHT 1 int with former PDHR Hays on constitutional changes

BHT 1 by Laura Bosnjak – The U.S Congress should discuss proposal on the changes to the Dayton Constitution next week. U.S Institute on Peace, led by former PDHR to BiH Donald Hays, has been working on this proposal. In an interview to BHT 1, Hays said that the current constitution clearly bears some limitations: “You have two issues that violate the European Charter on Human Rights; that is discriminatorily election of the President and the Upper House of the Parliament, namely House of Peoples. You have a Parliament which is not entirely efficient and needs to be rationalized and you have a government which is underpowered, does not have sufficient authorities and responsibilities in order to protect its people and to promote the type of regulatory structure that the EU requires of member states.” However, Hays underlines that the constitutional changes are a decision to be brought by the local politicians. Asked about possible abolishment of the entities, Hays says: “Proposals have to come out of the political dialogue and therefore I do not see, at this point in time, any possibility for an elimination of the entities.”

Terzic: Domestic politicians, IC to be blamed for things not done, not DPA

BHT 1 – BiH Prime Minister Adnan Terzic said he expects a lot more from the International Community. “DPA presents an obstacle at very moment”, said Terzic. Terzic confirmed that BiH should start the Stabilization and Association negotiations by December 12. PINK, RTRS by Natasa Jokic – Terzic also stated that the Dayton agreement is not to be blamed for thing that have not been done, but the domestic politicians and the international community. CoM Chair also said that the foreign soldiers are not protecting peace in BiH; instead, their presence is an obstacle for foreign investments, BiH Council of Ministers Chair Adnan Terzic. However, RTRS reporter commented that Terzic afterwards told the press conference that the presence of the peace troops is still required in BiH since those still dreaming of the Great Serbia have won the elections in Serbia. Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘BiH need a constitution for EU’ by Almedin Sisic, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘He is afraid of Serbia’ by Srna – also carry.

Conference chair Finci says no information on new HR

Hayat – Hayat broadcasted a brief live interview with Jakob Finci, the Conference Chair, who stated that he believes “the whole series of new ideas will be generated at this conference”, adding that those ideas are related not only to the constitutional changes, but also to the functional state, security and democracy, education and culture. Finci added that Geneva conference is just one step on the road to Brussels, and that BiH is getting closer to the end of that road. Asked to comment media speculations that the new High Representative, Paddy Ashdown’s successor, could be nominated in Geneva , Finci stated that there is still no official information about that.

Topcagic: EU enlargement will not be completed w/out Western Balkans

PINK –EU Foreign Ministers will formally decided on the opening SAA talks with the BiH on December 12, was concluded at the first day of Geneva conference. “We were assured that the process of EU enlargement will not be completed until all the countries from the Western Balkans are integrated”, BiH Direction for European Integrations Director Osman Topcagic said in his telephone statement for TV Pink.

Raguz: ’New Constitution is best option’

Dnevni List pg 5 ‘Change of Constitution condition for joining Europe’ by I. Glibusic,– DL carries Co-Chairman of the BiH HoR Martin Raguz as saying at the conference that it is necessary to start with constitutional changes and that the best option is passing of a new Constitution.

VL: Covic only BiH party lead invited at Geneva conf.

Vecernji List pg 2 ‘BiH must get new Constitution’ by V.I. carries that HDZ President Dragan Covic also attends the conference in Geneva and that he is the only president of some political party from BiH who has been invited to participate at this conference.

Swiss Foreign MInister says PIFWCs at large must be arrested

FTV by Verica Kalajdzic – While addressing the conference, Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey said that one of the crucial issues in terms of stability in the Balkans was apprehension of war criminals; Radovan Karadzic, Ratko Mladic and Ante Gotovina. Nezavisne Novine cover pg splash and pg 3 ‘BiH need a constitution for EU’ by Almedin Sisic, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘The Dayton needs to be changed’ by Srna, – also carry.

Ashdown: RS will not be abolished through reforms

Dnevni Avaz pg 4 ‘RS will not be abolished due to/because of reforms in BiH’, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘No abolishment’ by Srna – Paddy Ashdown stated at the Geneva conference that there is no chance for the RS to be abolished even by the HR: “Peace Implementation Council repeated on several occasions that the RS is guaranteed under the DPA.”

Bildt: If economic issues continued to be ignored, catastrophe to follow

RTRS by Natasa Jokic – Addressing the conference, the fomer HR, Carl Bildt, stated that there it was not the BIH Constitution, but the lack of the political wills, that has obstructed economic reforms. “If you continue to discuss the DA and you neglect the issue of economy than you’ll end up with both social and financial catastrophe,” Bildt added.

Hayat analyses work of all HR to date: Best was Petritsch, worst Bildt

Hayat by Nebojsa Radulovic – In the eve of the Geneva conference and talks abou the new HR, Hayat brings analysis of all the IC High Representatives to BiH, commenting their work results in BiH. According to the poll conducted on the streets of Sarajevo who are moderately satisfied with this position, the best rated was Wolfgang Petritsch (“because he did not promise much, and yet he did quite a lot”) as the best HR in BiH, while Carl Bildt is deemed as the worst HR. Hayat further summarizes work of the HRs in BiH: Carl Bildt, former Swedish Prime Minister who performed the HR duties from 1995 to 97, has not been remembered as a good HR. Second was Spanish Carlos Westendorp, (1997-99) remembered for the first decision to remove high-ranked SDS official, Nikola Poplasen,  election of state flag and national anthem tune. Next, Wolfgang Petritsch, Austrian, (until 2002) whose legacy include removal of a numerous officials, including all HDZ leaders Fourth, and the current HR: Paddy Ashdown, British, in position since May 2002. Hayat comments, somewhat ironically, that Ashdown will surely stay well-remembered. Talking about the new HR, Hayat speculates there are two main candidates for this position: Laura Mirachian, Italian diplomat of a Belarus origin and accused of being a close friend with Slobodan Milosevic. The second candidate is Czech diplomat Aleksandar Vondra, close associate of Vaclav Havel, one of the biggest supporters of BiH during the war. According to Hayat reporter, United States of America currently supports Vondra. 

Security, judiciary and war crimes

FBIH Police arrests three terrorism suspects

PINK, Hayat, FTV, Dnevni List front pg splash ‘Three arrested for terrorism’, and pg 6 ‘Bosnian, Swede an Turk prepared terrorist attack’ by I. Popovac, Vecernji List pg 3, mentioned on front ‘Three terrorists arrested’, by R. S., Slobodna Dalmacija pg 9 ‘Sarajevo: Three persons connected to terrorism arrested’, by H, Nezavisne Novine pg 2, announced on cover ‘They were planning a terrorist attack in Sarajevo’ by M. C., Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Terrorists were arrested’ by N. Z., EuroBlic pg RS2, announced on cover ‘They were preparing for terrorist attacks in BiH’ by Srna– FBiH MoI Police Administration confirmed it had arrested three persons of Swedish, Turkish citizen and BiH citizenship, on Wednesday and Thursday in Sarajevo, under suspicion they committed the criminal act of terrorism and preparation for for this criminal act. The Administration also stated that in line with warrant of the BiH Court , the police searched two facilities in the area of Canton Sarajevo and discovered a certain quantity of explosives, firearms and other military equipment. Investigation is in progress.

DA says 18 yrs old planned suicide attack on EU member state Embassy

Dnevni Avaz cover splash, pg 2 ‘Three men were preparing terrorism attack’ by M.K. – I.C.  – DA learns from well-informed source that one of the arrested terrorism suspects is 18 years old man intelligence services have noticed and followed for some time; and it is yet to be established whether he is SCG or BiH citizen. According to Avaz’s credible source this young man intended to carry out suicide attack on Embassy of one of the EU member countries in BiH. According to DA information, explosive and weapons police found was in this young man’s possession.

OHR: Terrorism threats serious, but arrests are proof BiH is capable partner

RTRS, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 inset ‘OHR: Proof that BiH is capable partner’, Dnevni List pg 6 ‘News about arrest is serious’ not signed  – OHR commented that the terrorism threats are serious, but added that the detention of these individuals is an evidence that BiH is a capable partner in the international fight against terrorism. The proper authorities in BiH are investigating this matter, and are co-ordinating with representatives of the International security forces present in BiH, OHR said.   

Croat self-rule trial: Process against Jelavic has been separated

PINK by Zeljko Mandic – Since the former BiH Presidency member Ante Jelavic on Thursday failed to appear before the BiH Court, where the trial in the case of “Croat self-rule” should have been continued, the Court’s Council decided to separate the process against Jelavic and other indicted persons – former FBiH Minister of Defence Miroslav Prce and former FBiH Army Deputy Commander Dragan Curcic. After stressing that he has no information on Ante Jelavic’s whereabouts, defence attorney Josip Muselimovic requested the suspension of the proceeding. “I believe that there are no legal reasons for this court process, which is unnecessarily burdening the Court of BiH, and the relations inside BiH”, stated Muselimovic. The continuation of trial in the case of “Croat self-rule” is scheduled for November 7, when a hearing would be held in both separated court procedures. RHB, BHT1, FTV, RTRS, Hayat, Oslobodjenje pg 7, mentioned on cover ‘Police will detain fugitive Jelavic in November?, Dnevni List pg 3 ‘Jelavic separated from other indictees’ by E. Mackic, Vecernji List pg 3 ‘Nevertheless, process is being separated’ by D. Jazvic, Slobodna Dalmacija pg 21 ‘Jelavic ‘booked’ for court for November 7’, by Zlatko Tulic, Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Separate trials to Prce and Curcic’ by A. D–  also cover.

BiH, Croatian Prosecutors on Jelavic: Extradition definitely impossible

Hayat, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Extradition definitely impossible’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Jurcevic did not request for extradition of Jelavic’, Dnevni List pg 2, mentioned on cover  ‘Croatia started to collect evidence about Jelavic’ by S. Bjelica,Vecernji List pgs 2 and 3 ‘New trial follows in Zagreb soon?’, mentioned on cover ‘New trial for Hercegovacka Banka in Zagreb’ by Z. Kresic,Slobodna Dalmacija last pg ‘Croatia cannot extradite Ante Jelavic’ by E. Karamatic, Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘Croatia will not extradite Jelavic’ by J. Blazevic– The Croatian Chief Prosecutor Mladen Bajic and BIH Chief Prosecutor Marin Jurcevic met in Mostar on Thursday and arranged the exchange of the evidences in the Hercegovacka Bank case for possible follow up. Bajic refused to speculate on the actions to be taken in the case of Ante Jelavic who is at large after BIH Court sentenced him to 10 years in prison. Bajic added that Croatia could not extradite Jelavic to BIH authorities since Jelavic is Croatian citizen. BHT 1 Martina Kristo-Antelj –As Jelavic’s case was finalized in the Court, appeal procedure is to follow, and if the sentence is to be effective, authorities are going to act in line with the international agreements on implementation effective court’s decisions. “This means that BiH judiciary would submit Croatian judiciary with the effective sentence to be executed”, said the Chair of BiH Court Meddzida Kreso. In terms of double citizenship and lack of possibility for extradition, Jurcevic said that it presented a political-legal problem. “This issue could only be solved at states levels, whether by making trilateral agreements or conventions”, said Jurcevic.

RS Govt removes Law School ’s Council over dean Lukic case

RHB, PINK, Hayat, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 4 ‘New Council of the Law School’, Dnevni Avaz pg 8 ‘Law School Council removed’, Dnevni List, pg 5 ‘Members of Council of Law School removed’, not signed, Nezavisne Novine pg 8 ‘The Government revoked its members over Lukic’ by G. M.– Due to failure to implement the HR’s decision on removing Radomir Lukic, dean of Law Faculty in Eastern Sarajevo, the RS Government on Thursday removed from duty the members of the Law Faculty Council of the University in Sarajevo, and appointed seven new members of the Council. The Entity Government requests from the newly appointed members of the Council to launch the procedure for electing the new dean of Law Faculty in Eastern Sarajevo, was announced by the RS Government.

Dean Lukic to SDHR Ney: Forget phrases, show evidence’

RTRS, Glas Srpske pg 5 ‘Forget phrases, show evidence’ by D. Majstorovic– Dean of Eastern Law Faculty Radoje Lukic called on the SDHR Martin Ney to immediately publish evidences and facts, “without hiding behind shallow diplomatic statements”, that prove he (Lukic) is obstructing the BIH’s cooperation with ICTY. Presenter stated that Lukic demands from Ney to publicly apologize to him if he is not in position to prove any of the abovementioned allegations.

Sarovic interrogated in Privredna Banka East Sarajevo case

BHT1, Hayat, Dnevni Avaz pg 2 ‘Sarovic gave statement to Ratel’, Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Sarovic was interrogated at BiH Prosecutor’s Office’ by N. N – Former RS President Mirko Sarovic was interrogated in BiH Prosecutor’s Office on Thursday. He testified about the dealings of “Privredna Bank” Eastern Sarajevo. BiH Prosecution, Jonathan Ratel, did not want to confirm whether Sarovic is suspect or just a potential witness. He told SRNA news agency that the investigation will be completed soon.

Alleged search for Mladic near Valjevo

Nezavisne Novine pg 5 ‘Unsuccessful search for Mladic near Valjevo’ by Mr. K., Glas Srpske pg 3 ‘Journalists “searched” for the General’ by Srna – Serbian police forces reportedly launched a search for Ratko Mladic near Valjevo (Serbia) on Wednesday evening. The search brought no results, while Serbian MoI claims this was only a police drill.

Other political issues

BiH HoP’s Committee adopts PBS Law

RTRS, PINK, Hayat, RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 7 ‘Draft Law on PBS accepted’, Nezavisne Novine pg 3 ‘European commissioners might give their consent for the start of negotiations with BiH today’ by M. Cubro, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Complaint will go to Strasbourg’ by Srna – The Committee for Foreign Affairs and Trade Relations of the BIH House of Peoples adopted the draft law on Public Broadcasting Service. BIH HoP adopted this draft law in first reading last year and it will discuss it in second reading next month. The Committee rejected the amendments issued by Croat delegates, Velimir Jukic and Ante Spajic, on separate Croat channel within the PBS.

Jukic: Croats in HoP would be against PBS Law; Croat Caucus to file complaint in Strasbourg

Dnevni List pg 3 ‘Croats will be outvoted again’ by N. Bise carries Deputy Chairman of the BiH HoP Velimir Jukic as saying that Croat representatives in the HoP would be against the proposal of the law. He could not confirm whether Croats would demand protection of a vital national interest and it should be decided on this issue at the HoP’s session itself.  Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘Complaint will go to Strasbourg’ by Srna – Croat Caucus has announced they will file a complaint upon both the Law on Public RTV system and Law on Public RTV Service before the Human Rights Court in Strasbourg.

SDHR Ney, EC welcome a passage of PBS Law in Committee

Dnevni Avaz pg 5 ‘Ney, EC express satisfaction’ – Following a passage of the PBS Service Law though Committee stage, the SDHR, Martin Ney, said “I am sure that all political parties realize the importance of passing the PBS Service Law smoothly at BiH House of People as early as possible.” EC spokesperson, Frane Maroevic, stated that the Commission expects fast adoption of this law as it could be marked as the end of the process in meeting the Feasibility Study conditions.  

Ivo Miro Jovic meets CoE’s Monitoring Team: Dayton brought unfair/unjust peace’

RHB, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘Changes at the cost of Croats’, Dnevni Avaz pg 10 ‘Dayton brought unfair/unjust peace’, Dnevni List, pg 2 ‘Changes at detriment of Croats’, by NINA, Vecernji List, pg 2 ‘Jovic with European Monitoring Team’, by F, Glas Srpske pg 2 ‘The Dayton brought injustice’ by Srna– BiH Presidency Chair Ivo Miro Jovic on Thursday met delegation of the Monitoring Team of the CoE Parliamentary Assembly headed by Kimmo Sasi. Jovic said that the Dayton Accords had ended the war, but also brought about an unfair peace, because mainly all changes were directed against the Croat people in BiH. “Democracy cannot be offered by undemocratic means. We will soon embark on talks on the future constitutional order, which would satisfy all three peoples on principles of equitability and consensus in making decisions, in line with European standards”, said Jovic, adding that the role of the IC in BiH should be advisory and consultative.

On mtg CoE Monitoring team/Lozancic

Dnevni List pg 4 ‘Constitutional reforms necessary’ by NINA – President of the Federation BiH Niko Lozancic also met with members of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly’s Monitoring Team. Interlocutors welcomed the successfully implemented reforms in the areas of defence and police and underlined the need for constitutional reforms.

OBN int with Lozancic processes against HDZ officials w/out grounds

OBN ‘Telering’ current affairs programme by Mato Djakovic – In an interview with OBN, FBiH President and HDZ Presidency member, Niko Lozancic, said that illegal activities during the party’s elections are not possible, and adds  there is no internal conflict among different fractions within HDZ. Asked to comment the trials of high level HDZ officials, such as Ante Jelavic and Dragan Covic, Lozancic said that the proceedings are not founded on facts. According to him, the indictments are ridiculous, unfounded, and probably written by OHR. Further, he claimed that the trials of HDZ officials have political motifs. Lozancic also believes that the courts in BiH are not independent, and they are especially influenced by international factors. “Any trial conducted in accordance with directions of any centre of power can not be fair”, said Lozancic. Lozancic repeatedly emphasized that BiH needs professional, efficient and independent judicial system, however refused to the fact that Jelavic has left BiH.

VL: Martens and Covic to meet on November 7 and November 17

Vecernji List pg 2 ‘Two meetings between Covic and Martens soon’ by vi – Deputy BiH Foreign Minister Anton Rill met on Tuesday evening with President of the European People’s Party Wilfred Martens. With regard to the information published in BiH media and referring to the EPP letter sent to HDZ President Dragan Covic, Martens confirmed that he sent an invitation to HDZ leaders to come to Brussels on November 7 in order to remove indistinctness and discuss foundation of the stated information. Martens also confirmed that the meeting with Covic will take place on November 17 in Sarajevo.  Dnevni Avaz, pg 4, mentioned on front ‘Javier Solana and Ollie Rehn are lobbying for BiH’, Inset ‘Martens and Sanader are against Covic’ notes that Martens is expecting to meet Covic to talk about how to proceed with regards to the issue of HDZ internal elections. Apparently, Martens is not ‘eager’ to have Covic in the office, the position Martens shares with the President of Croatian HDZ, Ivo Sanader.

SB: Interview with B. Ljubic

Slobodna Bosna pgs 26-29 ‘Those who joined HDZ in 1998 cannot humiliate us who founded this party’, mentioned on cover ‘I will remove Dragan Covic’ by S. Mijatovic carries an interview with HDZ President Dragan Covic’s counter-candidate at the last HDZ Convention Bozo Ljubic, who talks about the recently signed ‘Promemoria of HDZ officials and members’, relations with Covic, relations within HDZ in general etc. Asked whether he would form a new political party if the demand for the removal of Covic and the HDZ leadership does not get the support of the sufficient number of HDZ Central Board (the only HDZ body that can pass the decision on new HDZ Convention) members, Ljubic says that there have been many speculations on this issue lately, however he or those who signed Promemoria did not initiate them. He added: ‘I want to say clearly that we shall know to find the right answer that will be based on principled, program solutions of HDZ.’   Ljubic also said that ‘the next session of the HDZ Central Board will, allegedly, take place within next 20 days’.

EC on liberation of visa regime for BiH: three preconditions

FTV, Oslobodjenje pg 3 ‘EU requests for fulfillment of three pre-conditions’, Dnevni Avaz pg 4 Progress in control of borders needed for visa regime liberalization’  – In order to relax the visa regime for BiH citizens the EU requires necessary progress on the control of borders, fight against organized crime and corruption and the signing of agreements on readmission, the EC’s Delegation told FENA on Thursday commenting on statements after a meeting between BiH CoM Chair Adnan Terzic and EC for Justice and Internal Affairs Franco Fratini indicating that this process could start following successes in reforms in BiH. They announced after this meeting that a team of experts would arrive in BiH by the end of the year to analyse the situation and search for solutions in order to relax the visa regime for BiH citizens.

Feral op-ed on possible BiH’s organization

Feral pgs 24-25 ‘Slaughterhouse of brotherhood and unity’ by I. Lovrenovic carries an editorial on the problems of the BiH society and constitutional changes. Talking about the latter, the author says: ‘Experience of all divided societies in small European countries shows that 3 possibilities are being offered to BiH: co-existence of peoples, breakdown of the state or assimilation of smaller segments by bigger ones. By all accounts, it would be of crucial importance for BiH that it can reach a consent at least with regard to general undesirability of the last 2 options: breakdown and assimilation. Without such first step, firmly agreed upon and permanently binding, every talk about a change of Dayton, about introduction of ‘a functional’ and ‘normal’ state is just an illusion or demagogic throwing of dust into eyes.’  Same editorial published by Dani magazine.  

Dani: Mostar still not unified; Interview with MIU Director Williams

Dani, pgs 36-37, continued on pg 76 ‘United against unification’, by Eldin Hadzovic – Magazine carries a lengthy article/commentary on the process of unification of the City of Mostar dominated by negative commentaries by the journalist who argues that the progress is not as good as the local authorities claim to be. Hadzovic lists that there are still streets named after Lorkovic, Francetic and Budak, that many institutions are still divided/parallel and that only one high school in Mostar got unified, the ‘Mostar Grammar School’, which according to Hadzovic is being run as a ‘two schools under one roof’ school. Regarding the issue of hiring of civil servants in the MostarCity administration, Hadzovic underlines that the City administration is hiring more Croats than it should be, and the author claims to have learned from an anonymous source in the City administration that the remaining vacancies will be filled by the SDA cadres. Allegedly, that issue was agreed by Bakir Izetbegovic, Murat Coric, Hamdija Jahic and other prominent SDA officials. Inset ‘A lot of things have been done, some have not been’ carries a short interview with the Director of Mostar Implementation Unit’, Richard Williams, who lists achievements in Mostar such as the unified city council and unified budget, formal unification of institutions etc. Responding to the journalist’s remark that the national balance in the City administration is not correct, Williams notes that several internal transfers had to take place, because there were not enough qualified Bosniaks. “We issued external vacancies in order to avoid favouring of some parties”, added Williams. As for other institutions that are yet to be unified, Williams says there are not political problems, there are problems because many companies and institutions are in big debts, which makes the unification process difficult. “Everything that could be done at the city level was indeed done, issues at the cantonal level are yet to be solved”, notes Williams.

D. Davidson on problems in education area, BiH’s way to Europe

Dnevni List pg 8, mentioned on cover ‘BiH has good laws only on paper’ by I. Glibusic carries an interview with Head of the OSCE Mission in BiH Ambassador Douglas Davidson. Asked as to what are the main problems in application of the Framework Law on Primary and Secondary Education, Davidson says: ‘The thing is that you have a very good law on paper, however, it is not being applied in practice in many places.’ Asked as to where BiH should make biggest steps in order to approach European processes, Davidson says that he believes that, first of all, during negotiations with Europe, BiH will have to change a big part of current laws and politicians would have to lave their narrow interests aside.

Economic issues

On old depositors’ protest in Sarajevo

RHB, BHT1, Hayat, FTV, RTRS, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Boycott of Slovenian goods?’, mentioned on cover, Dnevni List pg 4, mentioned on cover ‘Blockades of border crossings and banks follow’ not signed, Vecernji List pg 4 ‘Peaceful protests are past now we shall in banks!’ by D. Jazvic – The Association of Old Foreign Currency Savings Depositors held a protest in front of the Slovenian Embassy in Sarajevo and BiH Council of Ministers on Thursday. President of the Association Svetozar Nisic stated that after all attempts to resolve their problems through authority institutions failed they decided to start with blockade of border crossings and legal inheritors of the banks in which the depositors used to invest their money. According to Nisic, the protest was their last peaceful protest. Nisic also said that if Slovenia does not reply to their demands in the next 15 days they will block border crossings and prevent entering of Slovenian products to BiH. RHB, Oslobodjenje pg 2 ‘Problem must be solved by SFRJ successor countries’– Slovenian Embassy to BIH stated not only Slovenia is responsible for the old currency savings, as the issue is multilateral therefore it must be solved by all countries of former Yugoslavia.